{"id":366259,"date":"2010-02-26T13:00:55","date_gmt":"2010-02-26T18:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/green.yahoo.com\/blog\/daily_green_news\/292\/seven-of-the-best-2010-fuel-efficient-suv-crossovers.html"},"modified":"2010-02-26T13:00:55","modified_gmt":"2010-02-26T18:00:55","slug":"seven-of-the-best-2010-fuel-efficient-suv-crossovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/366259","title":{"rendered":"Seven of the best 2010 fuel-efficient SUV crossovers"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a basic contradiction in the phrase “green SUV.” That hasn\u2019t changed, but SUVs have nonetheless evolved along more environmentally friendly lines, especially as they’ve hopped off truck platforms and become much more car-based. Some of these SUVs are as fuel-efficient as cars<\/a>. And it certainly helps that many are now available as hybrids. Soon, we\u2019re likely to see plug-in hybrid SUVs \u2014 with 40 to 50 miles of all-electric range.<\/p>\n

The new SUVs are called “crossovers,” and they’ve been skyrocketing in popularity as consumers become more interested in fuel economy. According to Edmunds.com, price spikes in 2008 sent crossover sales soaring 50 percent over 2007 levels. Compact cars also saw a jump, as large SUVs plunged 20 percent in the first five months of 2008.<\/p>\n

The most popular small SUVs today combine utility with sedan ride and handling and near-30-mpg mileage. In many cases, minivans are a good alternative to SUVs and provide better fuel economy and space utilization, but the “soccer mom” tag is death to many consumers. <\/p>\n

Here are seven of the most fuel-efficient SUV crossovers: <\/p>\n

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Ford Escape Hybrid<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll pay a $9,000 premium over the base Escape for the $30,000<\/strong> hybrid version, but you\u2019ll be buying probably the most fuel-efficient SUV there is (32 mpg<\/strong> combined). <\/p>\n

The Escape (the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is a close cousin) has enjoyed success as a New York taxi, and it\u2019s proven quite durable. U.S. News and World Reports<\/em> ranked it seventh of 22 affordable compact SUVs<\/a>. <\/p>\n

All-wheel drive is available, but you probably don\u2019t need it and fuel economy suffers. There are Base and Limited models, with the latter adding a fair number of creature comforts \u2014 and more than $2,000 to the bottom line.<\/p>\n

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Porsche Cayenne Hybrid<\/h2>\n

Believe it or not, Porsche will introduce a hybrid SUV in 2010, a version of its performance-oriented Cayenne<\/a> with a 150-mph top speed and a rumored 27 mpg<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Would Porsche make a minivan?<\/p>\n

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Volkswagen Touareg<\/h2>\n

For the rest of us who can\u2019t afford a Porsche, a Volkswagen SUV alternative is soon to arrive.<\/p>\n

The 2010 Volkswagen Touareg BlueMotion Hybrid<\/a> uses a supercharged V-6 engine and a hybrid system that will also be shared with Porsche, in this case the four-door luxury Panamera sedan. <\/p>\n

Like the Cayenne, it\u2019s fast (zero to 60 in 6.2 seconds) and gets around 26 mpg<\/strong> combined (in the European cycle).<\/p>\n

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Honda CR-V<\/h2>\n

This is Honda’s venerable workhorse small SUV<\/a>, and it has remained justifiably popular (though it is due for a makeover; this version dates to 2007). <\/p>\n

The good news, however, is that for 2010, the CR-V (starting at $21,545<\/strong>) was significantly freshened, and Honda achieved the neat trick of both getting 14 more horsepower out of its 2.4-liter four and improving fuel economy to 21\/28 mpg<\/strong> (2WD) and 21\/27<\/strong> (4WD). <\/p>\n

Other choices offer an optional V-6, but Honda likes what the four offers. Road noise has also been reduced in the 2010 model.<\/p>\n

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Toyota RAV-4<\/h2>\n

Like the CR-V, this midsized crossover at $21,675<\/strong>, the RAV4 is a survivor, dating from the mid-1980s, with little alteration to the basic small-and-utilitarian concept. <\/p>\n

This is one of the rare instances where it might makes sense to go for the bigger engine<\/a>, since the available V-6 sacrifices little in terms of fuel economy (but adds nearly 100 horsepower and a 7.2-second zero to 60 time). <\/p>\n

The four-cylinder 2WD RAV4 clocks in at 24 mpg<\/strong> combined, and its V-6 big brother 22. But you\u2019re fine without the 4WD.<\/p>\n

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Subaru Forester<\/h2>\n

Not much changed in 2010, the $20,295<\/strong> Subaru Forester<\/a> (a favorite of greens with stuff to move) is, says Consumer Reports<\/em>, “among the best small SUVs.” <\/p>\n

Stick with the base 2.5-liter four, which offers lively performance and 22 mpg<\/strong> overall. If you feel you need it, the XT model adds turbocharging but declines to 20 mpg. <\/p>\n

The Forester is perhaps the most carlike of these choices, and like all Subarus it comes with 4WD. The back seat has room to stretch out, and is one of the best things about this small car, which has enjoyed excellent reliability ratings.<\/p>\n

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BMW X6 ActiveHybrid<\/h2>\n

This is BMW\u2019s first full hybrid vehicle, and it\u2019s a luxurious but pricey choice at $89,725<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

This is an SUV for performance-oriented techies<\/a>, since its big twin-turbo V-8 produces 400 horsepower, and they are supported with a pair of beefy electric motors (480 peak horsepower total). There is no better option for zero to 60 in just 5.4 seconds while carting around a Cub Scout pack.<\/p>\n

Take it up to 130 mph if you dare, then throttle back and go 1.6 miles on the nickel-metal-hydride batteries alone. Fuel economy is much better than the standard X6, but still no Environmental Defense Fund member\u2019s dream at 17 in the city and 19 on the highway<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Carbon emissions are down 20 percent from the standard car, but they\u2019re still double that of a Toyota Prius<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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(Photos courtesy of each car maker<\/em>.) <\/p>\n

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More from The Daily Green<\/strong><\/p>\n